Seeing the Books for the Trees. A Literary View from Vermont.

Vermont’s NE Kingdom Picks Great Books for Summer Days

On a GORGEOUS spring day last week – yes, spring does eventually reach Vermont – The Book Jam traveled to Vermont’s amazing Northeast Kingdom. We love to visit this region to bike, camp, ski and to simply enjoy the magnificent views. This time, though, we were there to chat about books, to learn what librarians and booksellers in this more remote part of our state are recommending for summer reading, and to raise some money for Vermont libraries. (We also spent a bit too much in the Whistle Emporium, a superb gift/art/kitchen/just fun stuff store, located next to Claire’s.) Thank you to the Vermont Community Foundation for making Pages in the Pub in Hardwick possible.

Linda Ramsdell, owner and founder of Galaxy Bookshop since 1988. Linda considers herself extraordinarily fortunate to have spent half of her life in a place where books, people, ideas and imagination meet.

Lisa Sammet, library director of Jeudevine Memorial Library in Hardwick. She’s been a librarian, youth librarian, English teacher, farmer, and a Peace Corps volunteer. She also has been a professional storyteller in schools and libraries for over 30 years.

Rachel Hexter Fried, retired attorney and current Chair of the Stannard Selectboard. She supports independent bookstores and loves having the Galaxy in Hardwick. She is a voracious reader.

Lisa Christie, co-founder and co-blogger of The Book Jam Blog. Formerly the Executive Director of Everybody Wins! Vermont and USA; currently, a nonprofit consultant and mom who reads whenever she can find time.

We limited their written reviews to six words (those in the audience were able to hear a 2 minute review). So, although the list of books in this post is longer than our usual, we hope the brevity of the reviews helps you think about each, and helps you decide whether they should make your summer 2013 reading list. Enjoy!

Non-fiction or reference book – For people who like to ponder large tomes during summer vacations

4 Responses

Thanks for the good list! I wonder if your audience reader meant “The same ax twice” by our fine New Hampshire author Howard Mansfield? All of his books are enjoyable and thought provoking . NH librarian

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The Book Jam is…

The view from a small town in Vermont onto the wide world of books. We're two women passionate about reading and sharing our literary discoveries. Even though we live in the woods, we can spot a great book - even through all these leaves and branches - especially with the steady stream of excellent suggestions from the indie booksellers up here in the North Country. If you've got reader's block - also known as being in a "book jam" - this blog will help. We just rest easier knowing that you have the right title on your bedside table each night. Everything we recommend has been personally read and reviewed by one of us - all the way up here in the Green Mountain State.